Winter is coming, Chicago.
It’s going to get cold and the days are going to be much shorter. But with shorter days come longer nights and what better to do at night than drink some locally brewed winter beers?
The long Chicago winter has inspired our local brewers to put together some really kick ass beers that will keep you warm (well at least happy) until springtime. Here’s a list of our favorite winter beers from Chicago.
Goose Island
Festivity Ale
The Festivus Beer for the rest of us! Get out your Festivus Pole and work on your list of Grievances while drinking this Goose Island brown ale. Every year the brewers at Goose Island tweak the recipe so that each year’s batch of Festivity Ale is unique. This year’s brew is flavored with caramel and dark fruit malt flavors to form a creamy, delicious ale. It is a perfect brew to help celebrate the holidays. As Goose Island says, “May your holidays be filled with Festivity!”
ABV: 7.7%
Revolution Brewing
Fistmas Ale
Did you just win an epic snowball fight with your comrades and need to celebrate your victory? Well, Revolution’s Fistmas Ale is the beer for you. Brewed for the holiday season, this red ale contains aromas of fresh baked bread, caramel, ginger and a hint of orange. This holiday beer has a nice texture and is easy to drink. It will make you feel like your snowball fight was a Revolution!
ABV: 6.1%
Begyle Brewery
Christmas Ale
Are you run down from too much shopping? Take a break with Begyle’s Christmas Ale. It’s a spiced red ale featuring bay leaves, cinnamon, and sassafras. After a few of these, you will forget about all your worries and, as Begyle says, realize that it is a wonderful life. And don’t worry, everything you need to get is available online, so sit back and have another beer.
ABV: 7%
Two Brothers Brewing
Revelry
Did you get invited to go Christmas Caroling and didn’t realize this was still a thing? Well, stock up on Two Brothers Revelry. The big aromas and flavors of caramel, black bread, and dark fruit make this an outstanding brew that’s well worth seeking out. The Revelry will definitely help smooth out the experience of the neighbors calling the police on you since nobody understands why you are singing outside their front door.
ABV: 9.5%
Spiteful Brewing
Jingle Balls Winter Ale
Uh oh, did you just wake up after the office holiday party and can’t really remember if you embarrassed yourself of not? Well, Spiteful Brewing has the beer for you: Jingle Balls Winter Ale is a brewed with freshly juiced ginger, fresh ground nutmeg, and fresh cinnamon sticks. This beer will help you forget all the embarrassing things you might have done or said the night before – until you look at the label and see Marcus the Reindeer.
ABV: 7.6%
Lagunitas Brewing Company
Brown Shugga
If you are at a family get together and your one crazy uncle won’t stop taking about the election, make sure you have some Lagunitas Brown Shugga on hand. It’s not exactly a holiday brew, but it’s close enough. Brown Shugga is a tasty mix of caramel and toasty malt flavors. And the 9.99% ABV will make it easier to listen to your uncle’s political nonsense and enjoy the time with your loved ones.
ABV: 9.99%
